Town Hall was used as a rest centre

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Over 200 people were looked after by HF emergency services

On Thursday 21st July, 500 people were evacuated from their homes around Shepherds Bush Green. 216 of them had nowhere to stay and were looked after by Hammersmith & Fulham Council emergency services team. Council drivers ferried residents to safety and a dedicated band of council staff and volunteers have been busy all night trying to give the evacuees as comfortable a night as possible. 133 evacuees slept in Hammersmith Town Hall.

Hammersmith Town Hall was opened as an overnight rest centre. 189 persons registered at HTH from surrounding streets of incident. In the main residents were from McFarlane Rd, Frithville Gardens, parts of Uxbridge Road, Pennard Road and Wood Lane. Catering supplied. 133 slept at HTH overnight. LBHF Emergency bedding Stores utilised plus mutual aid implemented and Ealing Council, through their EPO supplied additional bedding. At HTH Council were assisted St Johns Ambulance, Primary Care Trust - a Dr Ahmed, WRVS,

Adrian Price, Emergency Planning Officer at the council, said, "As long as the police cordon is in place we will continue to provide accommodation for residents who need it."

32 displaced residents were accommodated at the Novotel hotel. Rooms were found for the more vulnerable and elderly residents at the Novotel hotel and in other centres. The council team were helped by St John Ambulance, the primary Care Trust and WRVS. There is still a cordon round Shepherds Bush from Macfarlane Road, Frithville Gardens, No17 upwards on Pennard Road, Uxbridge Road between Lime Grove and Wood Lane and Wood Lane up to the northern junction with Macfarlane Road.

Chief Inspector, John Sutherland, said, "The residents of Shepherd Bush have responded magnificently. I would like to pass on my sincere thanks to Hammersmith & Fulham Council and the volunteers who worked tirelessly throughout the night. There is no physical risk to residents in Shepherd Bush but there is an ongoing forensic enquiry. The message is clear to be alert but not alarmed. If you see a suspicious person or package please do not hesitate to call the police."

The police cordon around Shepherds Bush Underground station is still in place and the council will accommodate residents with nowhere to go until the cordon is lifted. Borough Emergency Control Centre (please call 0208 748 3020 for up-to-date information) is open and is the main source of information for the press and public.

Local ward councillors, the leader of the council and local MPs are being kept informed of the situation.

 

July 24, 2005